Running Meetings: Four Steps to Success

You can be great at running meetings, it just takes preparation and a little creativity. I always feel that meetings get a bum rap – until I attend a bad one (too long, boring, nothing is accomplished). A well planned and well run meeting is a wonderful thing. In a short time you can accomplish large amounts of work, make decisions and move forward.

To use meetings as a place to gather input, make decisions and move on (as they should be, I think) you will need to have frequent, efficient ones. Meetings optimally are in person but conference calls work when necessary.

Four Steps to Success:

1. Have a specific start and end time (and start on time!).

2. Have an agenda. The agenda, sent out in advance, includes:

• Name of team
  
• The purpose of the meeting
  
• A list of participants
  
• Start and end time
  
• Presentations/topics of discussion (team members should know in advance what is expected of them)

4. Follow up with a written summary (email) from the team leader. Include all accomplishments (with congratulations) and the action list.

Be creative when planning meetings. Food is a natural draw but you can try other ideas. Have a challenge ready for early arrivals. Select an unusual venue or time. Play background music. Create a meeting room that’s conducive to creativity with comfortable chairs, small toys, lots of wall space, large sheets of paper (for brainstorming) and bright colors.

Running Meetings takes Creativity, find some here…